Lyn Leon Wagner's Obituary
Mercedes – Lyn Wagner, 77, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. He was born on June 7, 1948, in Comstock, Nebraska, to Harlan and Eunice (Fowler) Wagner.
After graduating from high school, Lyn went to work as a well driller for Sargent Irrigation and Drilling in Broken Bow, Nebraska, where he devoted his entire career. Smart and always eager to learn, Lyn’s natural drive and loyalty to the company allowed him to manage nearly every aspect of the operation. As technology became essential, Lyn taught himself to write computer code, enabling Sargent to develop and implement innovative software applications that became invaluable tools. He installed well bowls and camera systems to monitor safety and efficiency, and to enable remote inspections. He was proud to be licensed to use C4 to fracture wells, and loved to make jokes about his high-level explosives clearance. Lyn retired after forty-six years of dedicated service. Yet, He never stopped drilling wells, he drilled one more well to irrigate the backyard at Llano Grande.
As a young widower, Lyn was taken out for an evening of fun by his son. By chance, he met Beverly Moler, who was also single and out with her daughter. The two were married in 1994 and spent the rest of their lives together. Lyn and Beverly built a home at Johnson Lake in Nebraska, with Lyn serving as the builder and contractor. They deeply loved their lake home and enjoyed traveling—whether vacationing or visiting family and friends—always ensuring a good time was had by all. Lyn’s adventurous and fearless spirit was reflected in his hobbies. As a young man, he raced stock cars on dirt tracks and continued to volunteer on a pit crew for a racing team until his move to Texas. He was an enthusiastic and active HAM radio operator, call sign WD0-HFR. A longtime Nebraska storm spotter, he was captivated by the beauty and power of nature—God’s awesome creation—and the thrill that came with witnessing it. Of many lifelong achievements, Lyn was also a private pilot. He enjoyed countless hours flying. Lyn held almost every CDL certification and was a CDL examiner for the State of Nebraska Licensing.
A great cook, Lyn especially loved barbecuing and grilling. He also enjoyed watching old cowboy movies and cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. A lifelong learner, Lyn could fix just about anything, earning him affectionate nicknames such as “Mr. Fix-It” and “MacGyver.”
After visiting Lyn’s daughter in Weslaco, Lyn and Beverly decided to make South Texas their permanent home. They moved to Llano Grande Park in Mercedes three years ago, where they enjoyed the warm weather and made many new friends. Lyn even picked up a new hobby—fishing—which he enjoyed immensely.
Lyn was friendly and outgoing, never meeting a stranger. He was always eager to try new things and never afraid of failure. A professed Christian, Lyn was a reader of God’s Word.
Lyn is preceded in death by his parents, Harlan and Eunice Wagner, his wife, Connie Frances Wagner, and his brother Carl Wagner.
He is survived by his wife of thirty-one years, Beverly Wagner; his daughter, Rhonda Garza (Robert); his son, Ron Wagner; his son, John Wagner (Shelby); his step-daughter, Stephanie Melroy-Polonic (Alex); his step-son Tony Mulhair; his brother, Tim Wagner; grandchildren, Bobby Garza and Ryan Garza (Sonia), Chandler Wagner (Madison), Colton Wagner, Creston Wagner, Jonathan Wagner, Nicole Blue (Richard), Treven Melroy, Kaden Melroy, Zoe White Bull (Levi), Lexi Armendariz (Rendy), great-grandchildren, Kinsley and Winona.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco. Services will also be live-streamed on https://www.youtube.com/live/55CLni84pRA?si=tSZ0bQRujqnADgAT.
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